Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, J. Washington Acad. Sci. 31: 95 (1941))

Family: Moraceae

Author: (Parkinson) Fosberg

Bibliography: J. Washington Acad. Sci. 31: 95 (1941)

Year: 1941

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Artocarpus

Vegetable: False

Observations: a cultigen from NW. Pacific

Description

Breadfruit, scientifically known as Artocarpus altilis, is a remarkable fruit-bearing tree belonging to the family Moraceae. This tropical tree is renowned for its large, starchy fruits, which are staple in many parts of the world, particularly in the Northwestern Pacific. Breadfruit trees have been cherished for centuries not only for their nutritional value but also for their versatility and role in sustaining communities in tropical and subtropical regions.

Originating as a cultigen in the Northwestern Pacific, breadfruit has been cultivated and propagated across various tropical climates. The tree itself is large and fast-growing, with broad, glossy leaves that provide ample shade. Breadfruit trees can grow up to 26 meters (85 feet) tall, making them prominent features in many landscapes.

The fruit of the breadfruit tree is round to oval, often larger than a human head, and covered with a rough, greenish skin that turns yellowish when ripe. The flesh inside is creamy white to pale yellow and has a texture similar to bread when cooked, hence the name. Breadfruit can be prepared in numerous ways—it can be roasted, baked, fried, or boiled, making it incredibly versatile in culinary applications. It’s a rich source of carbohydrates and includes essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, contributing significantly to the diet of people living in regions where it is grown.

In addition to its culinary uses, breadfruit trees also have significant ecological and cultural value. The trees provide habitat and food for various wildlife species, and they play a crucial role in traditional agroforestry systems. The wood of the breadfruit tree is lightweight and resistant to termites, making it useful for constructing canoes, furniture, and other items.

The historical and scientific exploration of breadfruit has been well-documented, notably in J. Washington Academy of Science in 1941, where its classification and characteristics were detailed and attributed to Parkinson by Fosberg. This foundational research has helped to deepen the understanding of breadfruit’s botanical and agricultural significance.

In summary, Artocarpus altilis, or breadfruit, is a vital plant with extensive uses ranging from food to materials, deeply rooted in the cultures and ecosystems of tropical regions. Its ability to offer sustenance and utility continues to make it an essential part of life for many communities.

Common Names

Deu: brotfruchtbaum
Fra: arbre à pain
Eng: breadfruit, dugdug, breadfruit tree
Swe: brödfrukt
Spa: fruta de pan, árbol del pan
Por: fruta-pão
En: Breadfruit, Dugdug, Breadfruit Tree
Fr: Arbre à pain
De: Brotfruchtbaum
Pt: Fruta-pão
Es: Fruta de pan, Árbol del pan
Sv: Brödfrukt

Synonyms

• Radermachia incisa (Thunb.)
• Artocarpus incisifolius (Stokes)
• Artocarpus laevis (Hassk.)
• Artocarpus incisus ((Thunb.) L.f.)
• Artocarpus rima (Blanco)
• Artocarpus incisifolius var. apyrenus (Stokes)
• Saccus communis ((J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) Kuntze)
• Saccus laevis ((Hassk.) Kuntze)
• Artocarpus communis (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.)
• Artocarpus incisus var. non-seminifer (Duss)
• Artocarpus incisus var. laevis ((Hassk.) Miq.)
• Artocarpus altilis var. non-seminifer ((Duss) Fournet)
• Artocarpus altilis var. seminifer ((Duss) Fournet)
• Sitodium altile (Parkinson)
• Artocarpus blancoi ((Elmer) Merr.)
• Artocarpus horridus (F.M.Jarrett)
• Artocarpus camansi (Blanco)
• Artocarpus mariannensis (Trécul)
• Artocarpus pinnatisectus (Merr.)

Distribution

• Caroline Is. (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Central American Pac (introduced)
• Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Line Is. (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maldives (introduced)
• Maluku (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Pitcairn Is. (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Santa Cruz Is. (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
• Sulawesi (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tokelau-Manihiki (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tuamotu (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)
• Tuvalu (introduced)
• Vanuatu (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by i maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Miro Maribel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2022 by Arvind Kulkarni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2021 by Arvind Kulkarni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2020 by Cesário Leandro (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 1, 2022 by Beate Liebold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2021 by CaFola cafola (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 1, 2021 by Vin Legaspi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Pulak Jana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 9, 2022 by john davis (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 18, 2021 by Tienda Virtual Aracne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2021 by anako. ch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by dOM dUM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2022 by COLTEBIENES (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 13, 2020 by Kris Aleks (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 25, 2022 by Brasil Bruno (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2022 by keith isaac (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2022 by Logan Blackmon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by Rashad AbdulAzeem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Will Clark (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Mar 30, 2021 by Jarquin Gabriel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2020 by anu (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 11, 2012 by John Tasirin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Nov 16, 2012 by John Tasirin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Oct 19, 2022 by Arvind Kulkarni (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2984573)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:582598-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson ex F.A.Zorn) Fosberg)

Specifications

Growth form>: Single Stem

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth rate>: Rapid

Growth

Sowing: Young tree or suckers

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 4.0